gg SAVANNAH BUNTING. 



three margined externally with white, changing into pale brown on the other. 

 A narrow circle of white around the eye. Throat and breast yellowish- 

 white, the latter and the fore part of the cheeks streaked with dark brown. 

 Sides and abdomen very pale yellowish-brown, the former sparsely streaked 

 with dark brown; the posterior abdominal region and under tail-coverts 

 white. 



There is no perceptible difference as to colour or size between the male 

 and the female. 



Length 5| inches, extent of wings 10; bill -| along the ridge, -^ along the 

 gap. 



The Prickly Pear, or Indian Fig. 



Cactus Opuntia, Willd., Sp. PL, vol. ii. p. 943. Pursch, Fl. Amer., p. 323. — Icosandria 

 Monogynia, Linn.— Cacti, Juss. 



This species has an articulated fleshy stem, with ovate, compressed joints, 

 sparsely covered with setaceous prickles; large yellow flowers, and red, 

 acidulous, eatable berries. It flowers in June and July, and grows in sandy 

 fields and dry barren soil. 



SAVANNAH BUNTING. 



Emberiza Savanna, Wils. 

 PLATE CLX.— Male and Female. 



This species is one of the most abundant of our Finches. It is also one of 

 the hardiest, standing the winter of our Middle Districts, ranging as far 

 north as Labrador, and crowding our old fields and open woods of the south 

 from October to April. It is nearly allied to the Yellow-Winged Sparrow 

 and Henslow's Bunting, but differs from both in many important particulars. 



It confines itself principally to the ground, where it runs with extreme 

 agility, lowering its body as if to evade your view, and when in danger 

 hiding as closely as a mouse; nay, seldom taking to wing, unless much alarm- 

 ed or suddenly surprised. It is fondest of dry, rather elevated situations, 



